Conductive shoe device



March 2, lw954 O. l. BLOOM CONDUCTIVE SHOE DEVICE Filed March 15, 1952 BLOOM Patented Mar. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE CONDUCTIVE SHOE DEVICE Otto I. Bloom, New York, N. Y. Application March 15, 1952, Serial No. 276,863

3 Claims.

l 'I'hls invention relates to means for converting shoes which are not ordinarily electrically conductive into electrically conductive shoes and particularly to the conversion of such shoes by the application of a reduplicated Wrapper or envelope of conductive material to surround the shoe-counter and rest in intimate ycontact with the inner and outer sole areas of the shoe.

The Wearing of conductive shoes is important when Working in areas where explosive dust, fumes or gases are used or stored or may develop. Such areas exist in plants Where explosives or chemicals are manufactured or the operating rooms of hospitals where such gases are used for anaesthesia. In such areas the development of static electricity is a hazard because the sudden dissipation of such an electric charge may result in an explosion with serious consequences to life and property. The wearing of conductive shoes is one means of charges.

Static electricity develops when dissimilar materials are pressed or rubbed together. In this action free electrons may leave one material and attach themselves to the surface of another. such instances the object which has lost electrons is said to be positively charged and the object which has gained electrons, negatively charged. Friction or rubbing is conducive to the transfer of electrons. If the materials are separated and if one or both are non-conductors, this unequal distribution of electrons will persist. Positive and negative charges of electricity which are kept apart by non-conductors have no path- Way of flow and are said to be at rest or static Static electricity on an insulated body, such as a surgeon wearing non-conductive shoes, can suddenly discharge .through the air if an object of different potential is brought near. The result may be a spark which although too small to be seen or felt, may neverthelessdevelop enough heat to ignite an explosive mixture of anaesthetic and oxygen.

In no area of comparable size are the hazards of gas explosions so great as in an operating room or delivery room. The presence of many materials at diierent potentials such as rubber pads on operating tables, sheets, rubber' gloves and non-conductive shoes contribute to this hazard. Maintenance of high humidity in the area, the use of conductive flooring, sheeting and rubber,

vand the proper grounding of all equipment are some measures of a preventive nature. For the grounding of personnel (surgeons, nurses and others working in the area) the wearing of omni- 1 preventing such sudden diseffective conductive shoes is an accepted and approved practice.

New conductive shoes are presently available commercially. However such shoes have a disadvantage from the standpoint of shape, size, it and comfort as related to the feet of the wearer. An individual purchasing an ordinary non-conductive pair of shoes has a choice of several thousands of sha-pes (lasts) because the market for ordinary shoes serving the general population is great enough to warrant the production of so great a number of shapes. Conse-l quently, the individual has a high chance of obtaining a comfortable fit. On the other hand, because of the limited market, the individual purchasing a pair of conductive shoes may not always be able to obtain the comfortable fit which a wide variety of lasts affords. Surgeons, nurses, students and others working in the operating area are constantly under tension, do a great deal of walking, and hence shoe-comfort is a compelling necessity. As a matter of fact, surgeons and nurses frequently keep their oldest and most comfortable shoes in the operating suite lockers and change into these from dress shoes becauseof the comfort they derive from working in these older, well worn and therefore better fitting shoes.

Since it is economical to convert a worn pair of `shoes into a conductive state rather than to build a new one, and since such old shoes are immediately `comfortable and properly shaped to the wearers foot without having to be broken in, it is clear that this invention is novel, practical and useful. Such conversion does not materially modify the structure or shape of the shoe and it carries over into the converted shoe all the ad- Svan'tages of foot comfort inherent in a pair of of comfort and rit of the shoes are retained while effecting such conversion.

A further object of this invention is to effect the aforementioned conversion in such manner as to provide an extensive area of contact between the foot of the wearer and an electrically conductive inner sole co-extensive therewith and a similar contact area for the outer sole of the shoe electrically continuous with said inner sole, there by assuring the existence of a continuous electrically conductive path from the body of the wearer to a supporting surface. The conductive path so provided is present at all times and in all positions assumed by the foot of the wearer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a unitary blank of conductive material which is a-dapted to be doubled over upon itself, or reduplicated, to thereby provide a jacket, wrapper or envelope for the inner and outer surface areas of the counter and sole portions of a shoe; thereby providing a continuous and uninterrupted physical electrically conductive path from the interior of said shoe to exterior or surface contacting portions thereof.

It is also an object of this invention to provide ya device of the character indicated wherein an extensive portion of the surface including the lower, posterior and lateral aspects of the heel makes electrical contact with a layer of conductive material in addition to the extensive contact area provided for the sole of the wearer.

This invention also has as one of its principal objects the provision of a blank of the character and for the purposes indicated which is capable of being readily and effectively shaped to conform to the contours of the parts of `an existing For the attainment of these and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, I have illustrated an embodiment of my yin.- vention in the drawings wherein:

Figure l is a cross-section of a shoe which has been converted in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a crosssection of the toe portion of the shoe, and

Figure 3 is a plan view of a conductive blank in accordance with my invention shown on a reduced scale.

In its general aspect the invention contemplates the use of an elongated blank of a comparatively thin flexible sheet of conductive material the extremities of which conform to the outline of the inner and outer soles of the shoe; said extremities being connected with a central portion which is adapted to be conformed to the inner and outer surfaces of the counter portion ofthe shoe. The blank is adapted to be folded or reduplicated upon itself along its central line and thus provide a continuous electrical path from the interior to the exterior portions of said shoe.

As may be more particularly seen from Figure 3 the blank comprises an elongated strip designated generally by the numeral I8. Said blank is formed of a comparatively thin Yflexible sheet of electrically conductivematerial such as .conductive rubber or leather. It will be understood however that similar materials suitable for providing a safe discharge path for static electricity may be utilized for this purpose. The material of which blank I8 is formed may, if desired, be laminated with fabrics. One extremity of the blank I8 is cut to the contour of the insole or sock lining of a shoe to form a liner therefor,

Iwhile the other extremity I4 is similarly cut to conform generally to the outline of the outer sole of a shoe to form an outsole cover or what will be referred to herein as a ncther sole. Extremities II and I4 are connected by means of aniintermediate section comprised of the counter ,lining and counter covering portions I2 and I3 respectively. The transversely extending edges of said counter lining and covering portions are provided with projecting tabs I6 and I1 respectively, the purpose of which will more clearly appear hereafter. The blank may be advantageously formed by die cutting or may be formed by other suitable methods.

Blank I8 is adapted to be folded over upon itself or reduplicated as indicated by the broken lines 2|. In so folding the blank a body is formed which may be characterized as a conductive envelope, jacket or wrapper adapted to be integrated in a shoe structure in a manner which may be more clearly seen from Figures l and 2 which illustrate a shoe which has been converted to electrical conductivity in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated application of the invention, the normal inner sole or sock lining of the shoe to be converted has been removed as well as the outer sole and heel thus leaving theshoe upper connectedto the midsole I9. It should be noted that the removal of these parts inno way affects the build, or shape thereof, and thus leaves the vfit and foot comfort of the converted shoe unimpaired. In f act, the removal of these parts is normally effected in the repair and resoling of shoes. The wrapper or `jacket comprised of blank I8 is then positioned over the shoe counter 20 so that one extremity II thereof assumes the place and function of the normal insole or sock lining. shoe counter 2t is covered by portion I2 which thus forms a liner therefor.` In thisconnection, it should be noted that tabs I3 are adapted to be i folded inwardly and inserted under the Vheel por.-

tion of the insole liner portion II thereby erecting counter liner l2 and permitting said counter liner to `be broughtsnugly `against `the 'interior surface of said counter. This permits the blank to rest in intimate surface contact with the interior sole surface of the shoe and the counter surface.

Counter cover portion I3 of the blank is bent over to surround the exterior surface of `shoe counter 2i! without inany manner disturbing its construction, and may be advantageously secured in position by cementing or other suitable means. As heretofore stated, counter cover portion ,I8 ofthe blank is formed with tabs I1 extending from its transverse edges. These tabs` `are adapted to be folded and inserted under the heel section `of nether sole I4 thereby causing said counter cover I3 to be erected and to be conformed to the convex surface contour vof the ex terior of the shoe counter. The counter cover portion of theblank is thus securely anchored to the shoe structure and imparts a iinishedapvpearance thereto.

In the embodiment of the Zinvention herein illustrated, the normal outer sole and heel lofthe shoe has been removed thereby exposing midsole I9. The nether sole portion -I4 of blank IB is then secured to the exposed under surface of said mid-sole in a suitable manner as `by cementing. A conductive outer sole `Iii is `then applied to the undersurface of nether sole I4 and the two meeting surfaces are secured with an electrically conductive cement. An electrically conductive heel piece or heel support 22 is similarly secured in position thus establishing electrical continuity withblank I8. The entire .assembly is then advantageously additionally secured to the shoe asby sewingaround .the .edges or by other suitable means. The conductivity of a shoe so converted is effective in all positions The interior surface of the of the foot as the shoe makes contact with the oor.

Although in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the normal outer sole has been removed and an independent conductive outer sole is secured to the nether sole portion I4 of the blank, it will be understood that such additional conductive outer sole may be dispensed with and the nether sole may be applied and secured to the undersurface of the existing outer sole Without the removal of said outer sole from the shoe. This arrangement is particularly desirable in converting thin soled shoes such as those Worn by Women. Under such conditions it is merely necessary to secure a conductive heel piece or heel support such as shown at 22 in electrical contact with the heel portion of nether sole I 4 as by cementing with an electrically conductive cement. In this form of the invention, the remainder of the nether sole portion I 4 of the blank I8 functions as an outer sole and thus completes the electrically continuous path from the interior of the shoe. It will also be understood that many of the advantages of the present invention may be realized by the incorporation thereof into new shoe structures.

I have here shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention. It will be apparent, however, that this invention is not limited to this embodiment and that many changes, additions and modications can be made in connection therewith without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A conductive shoe comprising an outer sole of ground-engaging electrically conductive material and a mid-sole with a shoe upper and counter secured thereto, a first sheet of electrically conductive material having a toe and heel portion overlying the mid-sole, and a counter portion extending therefrom, a second sheet of electrically conductive material having a toe and heel portion and a second counter portion extending therefrom and underlying the mid-sole, the two counter portions being conductively secured to one another along a portion of their meeting ends to form a path therebetween, said second sheet overlying said outer sole, whereby the said sheets together 50 with their counter portions and the outer sole constitute an electrical wearer.

2. A conductive shoe comprising an outer layer of ground-engaging electrically conductive material and a mid-sole with a shoe upper and counter secured thereto, a rst sheet of electrically conductive material having a toe and heel portion overlying the mid-sole, and a counter portion extending therefrom, a second sheet of electrically conductive material having a toe and heel portion and a second counter portion extending therefrom and underlying the mid-sole, the two counter portions being conductively secured to one another along a portion of their meeting ends to form a continuous electrical path therebetween, said second sheet overlying said outer layer, whereby the said sheets together with their counter portions and the outer layer constitute an electrical grounding path for the wearer.

3. In an electrically conductive shoe including an outer sole of electrically conductive material, a mid-sole, a shoe counter and upper extending therefrom, a conductive envelope for said shoe comprising a rst sheet of electrically conductive material having a toe and heel portion overlying said mid-sole with a counter portion extending from said heel portion overlying the ingrounding path for the References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 497,822 Royer May 23, 1893 2,261,072 Monahan Oct. 28, 1941 2,279,094 Siers Apr, 7, 1942 2,287,744 Monahan June 23, 1942 2,407,189 Taber' Sept. 3, 1946 

